Phase IV (1974)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Saul Bass

Writer:

Mayo Simon (writer)

Release Date:

September 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Ravenous Invaders Controlled by a Terror Out in Space Commanded to Annihilate the World!

Plot:

Desert ants suddenly form a collective intelligence and begin to wage war on the desert inhabitants...

Plot Keywords:

Ant | Desert | Scientist | Evolution | Investigation

Cast

Michael Murphy	...	James R. Lesko
Nigel Davenport	...	Dr. Ernest D. Hubbs
Lynne Frederick	...	Kendra Eldridge
Alan Gifford	...	Mr. Eldridge
Robert Henderson	...	Clete
Helen Horton	...	Mildred Eldridge

Also Known As:

Phase Four (UK)

Runtime:

93 min | USA:84 min (TCM print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-16 (1989) | Iceland:12 | Australia:PG | France:-12 | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Alced Productions

Trivia:

Saul Bass has said in interviews that the studio tampered with film in post against his wishes.

Goofs:

Continuity: During one of the scenes inside the dome, Lynne Frederick speaks with a English accent instead of the American accent she uses during the rest of the film.

Quotes:

Dr. Ernest D. Hubbs: You did your major work applying game theory to the language of killer whales.
James R. Lesko: Well, it seemed cheaper than applying it to roulette
Dr. Ernest D. Hubbs: Did you actually *succeed* in making positive contact with the whales?
James R. Lesko: Only with the emotionally disturbed.
Dr. Ernest D. Hubbs: How were you able to determine that?
James R. Lesko: We talked!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Phase IV (#1.9)" (1989)

Amazing suspense-filled film.

I don't know how other's comments on awful acting can be justified. On the two occasions that I saw this film on television I found it gripping. The emotion that the girl shows in the film is clearly meant to be shock and not bad acting - only in over the top Hollywood acting do women get completely taken over by hysteria for the majority of the film.

This is not a standard horror or action film and the tension builds as the nature of the film changes from observance of a scientific study, to the observance of several disasters, to a chilling conclusion.

Those who want a cerebral, plot and dialogue based, tense and suspense-filled thriller will probably love this film. For those who find this isn't their cup of Tea - I hope you enjoy watching Freddy Vs Jason.